News

Morning 9: Small Masters field for 2024? | PGA Tour reinstates Cabrera | Honda Classic secures new sponsor

Published

2 years ago

Dec 20, 2023

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans.

1. Small Masters field ahead?

AP report…”With no significant tournaments the rest of the year, it looks as though 11 players who finish in the top 50 will be added to the field, which would bring the field to 77 players among those expected to compete.”

“That includes three players who will be making their Masters debuts without ever having won on the PGA Tour or European tour: Adam Schenk, Eric Cole and Denny McCarthy. Schenk qualified by reaching the Tour Championship for the first time.”

“The 11 expected to get in through top 50 in the world ranking are Ryan Fox, Min Woo Lee, McCarthy, Will Zalatoris, Justin Rose, Harris English, Cole, J.T. Poston, Adrian Meronk, Adam Hadwin and Nicolai Hojgaard.”

“Four players — Luke List, Erik van Rooyen, Camilo Villegas and Ludvig Åberg — earned invitations by winning PGA Tour events in the fall.”

Full piece.

2. New sponsor for former Honda Classic

From a press release…”Information technology company Cognizant has become the new title sponsor of the PGA TOUR’s long-running South Florida event formerly known as the Honda Classic, which will now become the Cognizant Classic.”

“The Cognizant Classic will return to PGA National Resort’s Champion Course the week of February 26–March 3, as part of the FedExCup regular season. The sponsorship deal runs from 2024-30.”

“On behalf of the PGA TOUR, our thanks to Cognizant for their commitment to the PGA TOUR’s South Florida event through 2030,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Through this partnership, the Cognizant Classic will continue to be one of the premier sports and entertainment events in the Palm Beaches while maintaining its role as a charitable leader within the community.”

Full piece.

3. Cabrera reinstated

Golf Digest’s Joel Beall…”Angel Cabrera has been reinstated to the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions following a two-year prison sentence for gender violence.”

“In a letter obtained by Golf Digest, Cabrera was notified by Andy Levinson, senior vice president of the tour, on Dec. 18 that his suspension had been lifted effective immediately.”

“Failure to comply with the terms of your release from prison or any additional information regarding your legal situation in Argentina may result in the immediate reinstatement of your suspension,” Levinson wrote.

Full piece.

4. Things we won’t be talking about in 10 years…

Golf Digest assembled a list, which includes…

“Teegate…It started when Patrick Reed threw a tee at Rory McIlroy in an attempt to “say hello” as the new year kicked off at the Dubai Desert Classic. McIlroy then threw a dagger at Reed in a press conference—upset over getting a subpoena from Reed’s lawyer on Christmas Eve—and the spat was on. It was the silly kind of fluff that went down smooth in January when we were all easing into the golf year but in hindsight seems not just figuratively but literally crazy. The one saving grace was that it actually spilled on to the course, McIlroy pulling out a one-shot win over Reed.”

Full piece.

5. Turning casual fans off?

Larry Bohannan, Palm Springs Desert Sun…

“I just don’t watch golf as much as I used to.”

“I watch the majors, but that’s about it.”

“The PGA Tour tells me the best players play here when some of the best players don’t play there.”

…”The PGA Tour and the PIF may feel they are battling for the heart and soul of professional men’s golf in the world. But the message from readers seems clear: The constant fighting and insulting and preening of some figures on both sides might just kill the goose that laid the golden egg. In what is a niche sport to begin with compared to the goliaths of the NFL, the NBA, major league baseball and even soccer, golf might be turning off its fans with the bickering and with the top players in the game getting together only four times a year at the major championships.”

Full Piece.

6. The caddie who launched a whisky empire

Jim Dobson for Forbes…”Kingsbarns Distillery is the brainchild of Scottish golf caddie Douglas Clement. As a long-time caddie at Kingsbarns Links in the East Neuk of Fife in Scotland, Clement was constantly entertaining wealthy golfers who visited from all over the world to play Golf at St Andrews. His clients always wanted to go to a distillery for whisky tasting during their visit but there was nothing nearby, so he began to form a plan.”

“Turning his dream into reality was a labor of love for the young caddie, born in St Andrews and brought up on a farm near Anstruther. During the 80s, Clement had often visited a derelict 18th century farm on the Cambo Estate which he had always considered the perfect location for a distillery just a few miles from St. Andrews. From its conception in 2009, it took five years for the idea to be formed into a full operational whisky distillery.”

Full Piece.

7. Ben Baller’s 24K putter and WITB

Our Andrew Tursky…“Ben Yang, a.k.a. Ben Baller, is a world-famous jeweler, music producer, actor, and podcaster who’s been a tastemaker for celebrities, musicians, and sports stars for decades.”

“…Over the last two years, Ben Baller has also developed a newfound love of golf, and he’s bringing his eye for “cool stuff” to the golf world.”

“Despite his short period of involvement in the sport, he’s already broken 80 four times, he was on the winning 2023 Farmers Insurance Pro-Am team, and he’s earned the nickname “BBACK9.”

“And, as one could only expect from the longtime jewelry titan, Ben Baller also has one of the coolest WITBs in all of golf. His setup includes a Bubba Watson pink proto Ping G430 driver (gifted to him by Bubba Watson personally), blacked-out TaylorMade P790 irons, custom-stamped TaylorMade MG4 wedges, and a jaw-dropping 24K gold Scotty Cameron 1-of-1 Circle-T putter, custom-made by Scotty Cameron putter fitting director Paul Vizanko.”

Full Piece.

8. Maryland to host 5 big championships

Todd Kelly for Golfweek..”The U.S. Golf Association is making a splash in the Old Line State.”

“There are five championships coming to Maryland, the USGA announced Tuesday morning, three for Woodmont Country Club and two more for Columbia Country Club.”

“The Adaptive Open, which debuted in 2022, is headed to Woodmont, located in Rockville, about 20 miles north of Washington, D.C., in 2025 and 2026. The private club was established in 1913 and moved to its current location in 1950. It will also host the 2028 U.S. Junior Amateur.”

“Columbia CC, in Chevy Chase, is about seven miles north of D.C. and will host two senior events, the 2027 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and the 2035 U.S. Senior Amateur.”

Full Piece.

9. Rory skips BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony

Mike Hall for Golf Monthly…”Team Europe Ryder Cup star Rory McIlroy was nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award after another outstanding year. However, the 34-year-old didn’t made an appearance at the prestigious ceremony, with his Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood attending on his behalf”

Full Piece.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.

In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.

Check out links to all our photos below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

News

Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ronald Montesano

Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.

Henley’s Suitcase

Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!

Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.

Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Celine’s Suitcase

Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS

DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!

Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.

Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.

Kaneko’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping Max G440
Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7

Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro

Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.

The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.

Alvaro’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
Wedges
Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C

A party on the green!

Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026

LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.

Niemann’s Suitcase